First to 10 wins! Defense dominates at tourney

November 9, 2011

After offense was the main story Monday night at the girls' elementary basketball tournament, defense was the headline Tuesday. North Carolina's Mia Lingenfelter (right) and Hannah Carmella (left) attempt to block a shot by Penn State's Alyse Whitman in the sixth-grade tournament. (Photo by Zak Lantz/The Punxsutawney Spirit)

PUNXSUTAWNEY â€” After offensive explosions ruled the first night of the elementary basketball tournament Monday, defense took center stage Tuesday, as in each of the five games, one team or the other was held to 10 points or fewer.

In the first contest of the evening, the fourth- and fifth-grade game between the Heat and the 76ers, stifling defense by the 76ers held the Heat to seven points and earn a 15-7 win.

Megan Ray scored seven points to lead the offensive attack for the 76ers, while Ally Whitman matched her total for leading scorer with seven for the Heat.

The difference was the 76ers held the rest of their opponents scoreless, and Sophie Wyant and Alyssa Fairbanks each scored four points to push the 76ers to the win.

The 76ers improved their record to 1-1 with the win, and the Heat fell to 0-2 after a close one-point loss to the Bulls Monday.

In the second game, the Celtics defense earned a number of steals and held the Bulls to just four points to earn a 14-4 win.

Kate Horner led the way for the Celtics with 12 points, and Abby Gemmel added a pair.

Abby Gigliotti and Kylee Shoemaker each managed a pair against the Celtics' defense.

With the win, the Celtics improved to 2-0 for the tournament, and the Bulls are now 1-1.

In the third game, the closest of the evening, the Knicks improved to 1-1 with a 12-10 victory over the Lakers.

Grace Aikens led the scoring for the Knicks with six, and Cassidy Reed, Hannah Stair and Mary Schwarz each scored two in the winning cause.

Jessica Lisa led the game with eight points, and Kassidy Graham added two for the Lakers, who fell to 1-1 with the loss.

The first game of the sixth-grade's evening slate saw the same final score as the previous game with Penn State defeating North Carolina 12-10 to improve to 2-0 for the tournament.

Kaitlyn Doverspike led the scoring for Penn State with eight points, and MacKenzie Ferrent and Alyse Whitman each added two points.

Leah Miller matched Doverspike's total with eight points, and Hannah Carmella notched two points for North Carolina.

In the final contest of the evening, Pitt rolled past Duke in convincing fashion, 28-6, to improve to 1-1 in the tournament.

Pitt's balanced scoring attack was led by Nikki Harper, who scored 10 points.

Jordyn Powell and Kylie Lingenfelter each scored six for Pitt, and Midori Bridges (4) and Ali Brooks (2) each chipped in, as well.